Electric Fencing

Electric Fencing

Electric fences are widely and successfully used. They can be an effective, safe and inexpensive means of providing both temporary and permanent fencing if they are constructed properly and energized with a properly sized controller. Electric fencing does not need to be strong because it seldom comes under pressure, but it must be well designed and constructed to absorb the impact of animals. It is also essential that there is adequate power for the length of fencing and the type of animals to be confined. Several advantages of electric fencing are low cost, inexpensive to operate, can be used to extend the life of old permanent fences or they can be used for deer and predator control. They can be built for temporary or permanent use. Various types of inexpensive, easily-erected temporary electric fences are available. Probably the most popular are the polywire strands or ribbons which are fine wires woven together with polyethylene fibers. Polywire comes in various colors. Black is the most difficult for animals and people to see. Brighter colors, such as orange or white, are also available. The polytape, particularly the extrawide type, is easier to see than polywire. This type works better for horses. It is very important to keep weeds and grass cut away from the fence, especially when using low impedance controllers. If grass and weeds are allowed to touch most polywires, the charge produced from low impedance controllers can cause the small-diameter wires to burn in two. Polywires with stainless steel wires are more durable, but electric conductivity is lower. Aluminum conducts electricity better, but it breaks more easily. Aluminum, stainless steel and high-tensile wire can also be used. One advantage to using these type of wires is they conduct electrical charges for longer distances than the small diameter wires of the polywire and polytapes. However, they are harder for the animal to see. To effectively train animals to stay within an electric fence, the animals need to see the wire as they feel the shock. Tying pieces of white cloth or brightlycolored plastic ribbon will help make these wires more visible. An electric fence controller is used to energize the wire. The moist earth is used for completing the electrical circuit. Corners and end posts in temporary electric fences require minimal bracing. Line posts can be small and spaced far apart since the fence will generally be used for a short period of time.